McKinney v. University of Guelph et al., (1990) 45 O.A.C. 1 (SCC)

• Judge: Dickson, C.J.C., Wilson, La Forest, L'Heureux-Dubé, Sopinka, Gonthier and Cory, JJ.
• Court: Supreme Court (Canada)
• Case Date: December 06, 1990
• Jurisdiction: Canada (Federal)
• Citations: (1990), 45 O.A.C. 1 (SCC)

McKinney v. Guelph Univ. (1990), 45 O.A.C. 1 (SCC)

MLB headnote and full text

[French language version follows English language version]

[La version française vient à la suite de la version anglaise]

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David Walter McKinney, Jr. (appellant) v. Board of Governors of the University of Guelph and Attorney General for Ontario (respondents)

Horacio Roque-Nunez (appellant) v. Board of Governors of Laurentian University and Attorney General for Ontario (respondents)

Syed Ziauddin (appellant) v. Board of Governors of Laurentian University and Attorney General for Ontario (respondents)

John A. Buttrick (appellant) v. Board of Governors of York University and Attorney General for Ontario (respondents)

Bernard Blishen (appellant) v. Board of Governors of York University and Attorney General for Ontario (respondents)

Tillo E. Kuhn (appellant) v. Board of Governors of York University and Attorney General for Ontario (respondents)

Hollis Rinehart on his own behalf and on behalf of all other members of the York University Faculty Association (appellants) v. Board of Governors of York University and Attorney General for Ontario (respondents)

Ritvars Bregzis (appellant) v. Governing Council of the University of Toronto and Attorney General for Ontario (respondents)

Norman Zacour (appellant) v. Governing Council of the University of Toronto, Attorney General for Ontario, Attorney General of Canada, Attorney General of Nova Scotia and Attorney General for Saskatchewan (respondents)

(20747)

Indexed As: McKinney v. University of Guelph et al.

Supreme Court of Canada

Dickson, C.J.C., Wilson, La Forest, L'Heureux-Dubé, Sopinka, Gonthier and Cory, JJ.

December 6, 1990.

Summary:

Seven professors and one librarian employed by the respondent universities and one professor suing in a representative capacity applied separately for an order that the mandatory retirement policies of the universities in question were of no force and effect because they conflicted with the Charter of Rights. Specifically they sought, inter alia, a declaration that s. 9(a) of the Ontario Human Rights Code was inconsistent with s. 15(1) of the Charter and was therefore of no force and effect.

The trial judge, in a decision reported in 57 O.R.(2d) 1; 32 D.L.R.(4th) 65; 14 C.C.E.L. 1, held that the Charter did not apply to the universities or their mandatory retirement policies and contractual terms of the universities. The court further held that to the extent that s. 9(a) of the Human Rights Code defined "age" to be less than 65 years, it was inconsistent with s. 15(1) of the Charter. Further, the court held that s. 9(a) was a reasonable limit prescribed by law within s. 1 of the Charter. Accordingly, the court dismissed the applications. The professors and librarian appealed.

The Ontario Court of Appeal, in a decision reported in 24 O.A.C. 241; 63 O.R.(2d) 1; 46 D.L.R.(4th) 193; 37 C.R.R. 44, dismissed the appeals. Blair, J.A., dissenting, agreed that the Charter did not apply to universities and that s. 9(a) of the Human Rights Code was inconsistent with s. 15(1) of the Charter but would have held that the section was not justifiable under s. 1 of the Charter. The professors and librarian appealed.

The Supreme Court of Canada answered the constitutional questions submitted on the appeal. The majority (La Forest, J., Dickson, C.J.C., Gonthier, Cory and L'Heureux-Dubé, JJ.), held that the Charter did not apply to the universities. However, assuming that the Charter applied, the court held that the universities' mandatory retirement policies discriminated against the appellants on the basis of age and thus breached s. 15 of the Charter. The majority (La Forest, J., Dickson, C.J.C., Gonthier, Cory and Sopinka, JJ.), held that these policies were justified under s. 1 of the Charter. These same judges for the majority also held that s. 9(a) of the Ontario Human Rights Code discriminated on the basis of age and thus contravened s. 15(1) of the Charter, but the section was justified under s. 1 of the Charter.

Wilson, J., dissenting in part, applying the Charter to the universities, would have held that their mandatory retirement policies and s. 9(a) of the Human Rights Code were unconstitutional under the Charter and that neither were saved by s. 1. L'Heureux-Dubé, J., also dissenting in part, would not have applied the Charter to the universities and their retirement policies, did not answer the discrimination questions respecting such policies, and would have held that s. 9(a) of the Code breached the Charter and was not justified under s. 1.

Civil Rights - Topic 994

Discrimination - Employment - Age - General - The Supreme Court of Canada (per La Forest, J., Dickson, C.J.C., and Gonthier, J., concurring), discussed the nature of the right to the protection against discrimination in employment because of age as found in s. 15 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms - See paragraph 88.

Civil Rights - Topic 995

Discrimination - Employment - Age - Retirement - Several Ontario universities had mandatory retirement policies for faculty and librarians over age 65 - The Supreme Court of Canada, assuming that the universities were subject to the Charter, held that the mandatory retirement policies violated s. 15 of the Charter because they discriminated against persons 65 years or older - The court held, however, that the policies were a reasonable limit prescribed by law within s. 1 of the Charter - See paragraphs 48 to 74, 137, 140, 301 to 343.

Civil Rights - Topic 995

Discrimination - Employment - Age - Retirement - Section 9(a) of the Ontario Human Rights Code provided that protection from discrimination in employment because of age did not extend, inter alia, to persons over 65 - In a case respecting mandatory retirement for Ontario university professors and librarians, the Supreme Court of Canada held that s. 9(a) violated s. 15 of the Charter, but was a reasonable limit prescribed by law within s. 1 - See paragraphs 75 to 130, 137, 142, 357 to 368, 378 to 422.

Civil Rights - Topic 5658.1

Equality and protection of the law - Mandatory retirement - Universities - [See both Civil Rights - Topic 995].

Civil Rights - Topic 8304

Charter - Application - General - The Supreme Court of Canada (per La Forest, J., Dickson, C.J.C., and Gonthier, J., concurring), generally discussed the application of the Charter, considering s. 32(1), which states that the Charter applies to the "parliament and government of Canada" and to the "legislature and government of each province" - The court stated "the Charter is confined to government action... The Charter is essentially an instrument for checking the powers of government over the individual" - See paragraphs 20 to 46.

Civil Rights - Topic 8311

Charter - Application - Non-governmental or private interference - Universities - In a case respecting mandatory retirement for certain Ontario university professors and librarians, the Supreme Court of Canada held that the subject universities (Guelph, Laurentian, York and Toronto), given the manner in which they were presently organized and governed, did not form part of the government apparatus and thus were not subject to the Charter of Rights - See paragraphs 20 to 46, 134, 139 to 140, 260 to 282, 373 to 376.

Civil Rights - Topic 8348

Charter - Application - Exceptions - Reasonable limits prescribed by law - [See both Civil Rights - Topic 995].

Education - Topic 4410

Universities - Professors - Removal - Mandatory retirement - [See both Civil Rights - Topic 995].

Words and Phrases

Government - The Supreme Court of Canada discussed the meaning of the word "government" as found in s. 32(1) of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms 1982 - The majority of the court held that this word did not include certain universities in Ontario - See paragraphs 20 to 46, 134, 139 to 140, 147 to 282, 373 to 376.

Cases Noticed:

R. v. Oakes, [1986] 1 S.C.R. 103; 65 N.R. 87; 14 O.A.C. 335; 26 D.L.R.(4th) 200; 50 C.R.(3d) 1; 24 C.C.C.(3d) 321, appld. [para. 15].

Southam Inc. v. Hunter, [1984] 2 S.C.R. 145; 55 N.R. 241; 55 A.R. 291; 9 C.R.R. 355; 14 C.C.C.(3d) 97; 41 C.R.(3d) 97; [1984] 6 W.W.R. 577; 33 Alta. L.R.(2d) 193; 27 B.L.R. 297; 84 D.T.C. 6467; 2 C.P.R.(3d) 1; 11 D.L.R.(4th) 641, refd to. [para. 21].

Operation Dismantle Inc. et al. v. Canada et al., [1985] 1 S.C.R. 441; 59 N.R. 1; 18 D.L.R.(4th) 481, refd to. [para. 21].

R. v. Big M Drug Mart Ltd., [1985] 1 S.C.R. 295; [1985] 3 W.W.R. 481; 58 N.R. 81; 60 A.R. 161; 18 C.C.C.(3d) 385; 18 D.L.R.(4th) 321; 37 Alta. L.R.(2d) 97; 85 C.L.L.C. 14,013; 13 C.R.R. 64, refd to. [para. 21].

Dolphin Delivery Ltd. v. Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, Local 580 et al., [1986] 2 S.C.R. 573; 71 N.R. 83, refd to. [para. 21].

Tremblay v. Daigle, [1989] 2 S.C.R. 530; 102 N.R. 81; 27 Q.A.C. 81, refd to. [para. 21].

Bhindi and British Columbia Projectionists, Re (1986), 29 D.L.R.(4th) 47, refd to. [para. 23].

Davidson v. Slaight Communications Inc., [1989] 1 S.C.R. 1038; 93 N.R. 183, consd. [para. 29].

Martineau v. Matsqui Institution Disciplinary Board (No. 2), [1980] 1 S.C.R. 602; 30 N.R. 119, refd to. [para. 33].

Harelkin v. University of Regina, [1979] 2 S.C.R. 561; 26 N.R. 364, refd to. [para. 34].

Jackson v. Metropolitan Edison Co. (1974), 419 U.S. 345, refd to. [para. 35].

McCutcheon and City of Toronto, Re (1983), 147 D.L.R.(3d) 193 (Ont. H.C.), refd to. [para. 36].

Klein and Dvorak v. Law Society of Upper Canada (1985), 8 O.A.C. 161; 16 D.L.R.(4th) 489 (Div. Ct.), refd to. [para. 36].

Greenya v. George Washington University (1975), 512 F.2d 556 (Dist. Col. Cir.), refd to. [para. 43].

Blum v. Yaretsky (1982), 457 U.S. 991, refd to. [para. 43].

Bakke v. Regents of the University of California (1978), 438 U.S. 265, refd to. [para. 50].

Roth v. United States (1957), 354 U.S. 476, refd to. [para. 50].

Andrews v. Law Society of British Columbia, [1989] 1 S.C.R. 143; 91 N.R. 255; [1989] 2 W.W.R. 289; 56 D.L.R.(4th) 1, appld. [para. 52].

Reference Re Compulsory Arbitration, [1987] 1 S.C.R. 313; 74 N.R. 99; 78 A.R. 1, refd to. [para. 52].

United States of America v. Cotroni; United States of America v. El Zein, [1989] 1 S.C.R. 1469; 96 N.R. 321; 23 Q.A.C. 182, refd to. [para. 57].

R. v. Videoflicks et al., [1986] 2 S.C.R. 713; 71 N.R. 161; 19 O.A.C. 239, refd to. [para. 57].

Irwin Toy Ltd. v. Québec (Procureur général), [1989] 1 S.C.R. 927; 94 N.R. 167; 24 Q.A.C. 2; 58 D.L.R.(4th) 577, refd to. [para. 57].

Lamb v. Scripps College (1980), 627 F.2d 1015, refd to. [para. 65].

Palmer v. Ticcione (1978), 576 F.2d 459, refd to. [para. 65].

Blainey v. Ontario Hockey Association (1986), 14 O.A.C. 194; 54 O.R.(2d) 513, leave to appeal denied, [1986] 1 S.C.R. xii; 72 N.R. 76; 17 O.A.C. 399, refd to. [para. 75].

Beauregard v. Canada, [1986] 2 S.C.R. 56; 70 N.R. 1, refd to. [para. 115].

Reitman v. Mulkey (1967), 387 U.S. 369, refd to. [para. 175].

R. v. Dubois, [1985] 2 S.C.R. 350; 62 N.R. 50, refd to. [para. 182].

Chaussure Brown's Inc. et al. v. Québec (Procureur général), [1988] 2 S.C.R. 712; 90 N.R. 84; 19 Q.A.C. 69; 54 D.L.R.(4th) 577, refd to. [para. 188].

Reference Re Section 94(2) of the Motor Vehicle Act (B.C.), [1985] 2 S.C.R. 486; 63 N.R. 266; [1986] 1 W.W.R. 481; 24 D.L.R.(4th) 536; 23 C.C.C.(3d) 289, refd to. [para. 192].

Douglas/Kwantlen Faculty Assn. v. Douglas College, [1988] 2 W.W.R. 718 (B.C.C.A.), refd to. [para. 235].

McKinney v. University of Guelph (1987), 24 O.A.C. 241; 46 D.L.R.(4th) 193; 37 C.R.R. 44; 63 O.R.(2d) 1 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 243].

R. v. Eldorado Nuclear Ltd.; R. v. Uranium Canada Limited, [1983] 2 S.C.R. 551; 50 N.R. 120, refd to. [para. 251].

Stoffman v. Vancouver General Hospital (1988), 49 D.L.R.(4th) 727 (B.C.C.A.), refd to. [para. 286].

Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association v. Essex County Roman Catholic School Board (1987), 18 O.A.C. 271; 58 O.R.(2d) 545, refd to. [para. 287].

R. v. Therens, [1985] 1 S.C.R. 613; [1985] 4 W.W.R. 286; 59 N.R. 122; 40 Sask.R. 122; 18 C.C.C.(2d) 481; 45 C.R.(3d) 97; 18 D.L.R.(4th) 655; 32 M.V.R. 153, refd to. [para. 296].

Reference Re Sections 32 and 34 of the Workers' Compensation Act (Nfld.), [1989] 1 S.C.R. 922; 96 N.R. 227; 76 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 181; 235 A.P.R. 181; 56 D.L.R.(4th) 765, refd to. [para. 298].

R. v. Turpin, Siddiqui and Claudzel, [1989] 1 S.C.R. 1296; 96 N.R. 115; 34 O.A.C. 115; 69 C.R.(3d) 97, refd to. [para. 298].

Wolff (Rudolph) & Co. Ltd. and Noranda Inc. v. Canada, [1990] 1 S.C.R. 695; 106 N.R. 1; 39 O.A.C. 1, refd to. [para. 298].

R. v. Sheldon S., [1990] 2 S.C.R. 254; 110 N.R. 321; 41 O.A.C. 81, refd to. [para. 298].

Action Travail des Femmes v. Canadian National Railway Company et al., [1987] 1 S.C.R. 1114; 76 N.R. 161, refd to. [para. 299].

R. v. Thomsen, [1988] 1 S.C.R. 640; 84 N.R. 347, refd to. [para. 316].

Behran v. State of Bombay, A. 1955 S.C. 123, refd to. [para. 340].

Basheshar v. Comm. of I.T.A., A. 1959 S.C. 149, refd to. [para. 340].

Johnson v. Zerbst (1938), 304 U.S. 458, refd to. [para. 341].

Bute v. Illinois (1948), 333 U.S. 640, refd to. [para. 341].

Brookhart v. Janis (1966), 384 U.S. 1, refd to. [para. 341].

Escobedo v. Illinois (1964), 378 U.S. 478, refd to. [para. 341].

Haddad v. U.S. (1965), 349 F.2d 511, refd to. [para. 341].

Zap v. United States (1946), 328 U.S. 624, refd to. [para. 341].

Harrison v. Univ. of B.C. (1988), 21 B.C.L.R.(2d) 145 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 375].

Re Southam Inc. and The Queen (No. 1) (1983), 41 O.R.(2d) 113 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 378].

Headly v. Public Service Commission Appeal Board (Can.), [1987] 2 F.C. 235; 71 N.R. 185 (F.C.A.), refd to. [para. 385].

Ontario Human Rights Commission, Dunlop, Hall and Gray v. Borough of Etobicoke, [1982] 1 S.C.R. 202; 40 N.R. 159, refd to. [para. 427].

Central Alberta Dairy Pool v. Human Rights Commission (Alta.), [1990] 2 S.C.R. 489; 113 N.R. 161; 111 A.R. 241, refd to. [para. 428].

Ontario Human Rights Commission and O'Malley v. Simpsons-Sears, [1985] 2 S.C.R. 536; 64 N.R. 161; 12 O.A.C. 241, refd to. [para. 428].

Canadian National Railway Co. v. Bhinder and Canadian Human Rights Commission, [1985] 2 S.C.R. 561; 48 N.R. 81, refd to. [para. 428].

Human Rights Commission (Sask.) and Craig v. Saskatoon (City) and Saskatoon Professional Fire Fighters Union, Local 80, [1989] 2 S.C.R. 1297; 103 N.R. 212; 81 Sask.R. 263, refd to. [para. 429].

Statutes Noticed:

Age Discrimination Act, S.O. 1966, c. 3, generally [para. 78].

Age Discrimination in Employment Act (1976), 29 U.S.C., sect. 621, sect. 622, sect. 623, sect. 624, sect. 625, sect. 626, sect. 627, sect. 628, sect. 629, sect. 630, sect. 631, sect. 632, sect. 633, sect. 634 [para. 87].

American Bill of Rights, generally [para. 199].

Arctic Waters Pollution Prevention Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. A-12, generally [para. 215].

Canada Labour Code, R.S.C. 1970, c. L-1, generally [para. 318].

Canadian Bill of Rights, R.S.C. 1985, Appendix III, generally [para. 222].

Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms 1982, sect. 1 [paras. 1, 3, 8, 11, 14, 16, 49-51, 53, 55, 77, 79, 89-91, 130, 137, 141-142, 189, 285, 295-297, 312-321, 325-326, 339, 343, 368, 388, 406, 420]; sect. 2 [para. 188]; sect. 2(b) [para. 148]; sect. 3 [paras. 182, 190]; sect. 4 [paras. 182, 190]; sect. 7 [paras. 182, 200, 345]; sect. 7, sect. 8, sect. 9, sect. 10, sect. 11, sect. 12, sect. 13, sect. 14, sect. 15 [para. 188]; sect. 11 [para. 182]; sect. 11, sect. 12, sect. 13, sect. 14, sect. 15, sect. 16, sect. 17, sect. 18, sect. 19 [para. 163]; sect. 13 [para. 182]; sect. 15 [paras. 1, 3, 8, 10-15, 28, 47-50, 52-53, 55, 57, 75-77, 88, 90, 130, 136-137, 140, 143, 182, 282-285, 287-289, 291-292, 294, 297-306, 308-312, 340, 345, 351-352, 355, 360, 366, 368, 374, 378, 381-382, 386-388, 422]; sect. 16, sect. 17, sect. 18, sect. 19, sect. 20 [para. 190]; sect. 24 [paras. 293, 344, 346, 348, 353]; sect. 32(1) [paras. 20, 25, 30, 34, 35, 37, 46, 48, 140, 146-147, 149, 154, 159-161, 164, 169-170, 173-182, 184, 188, 193, 197, 230, 245, 251, 256, 259, 268, 282, 292, 376]; sect. 33 [para. 188].

Chambly College, an Act to incorporate, Revised Acts and Ordinances of Lower Canada, 1845, 6 Will. 4, c. 51, generally [para. 276].

Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms, S.Q. 1977, c. 6, generally [para. 214].

Civil Code of Lower Canada, generally [para. 156].

Clean Air Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-32, generally [para. 215].

Common Schools Act, Statutes of the Province of Canada 1840-1866, 4-5 Vict., c. 18, generally [para. 276].

Compensation Stabilization Act, S.B.C. 1982, c. 32, generally [para. 236].

Consolidated Public School Act, 1876, C.S.B.C., c. 142, generally [para. 278].

Constitution Act, 1867, sect. 93 [para. 277].

Constitution Act, 1982, sect. 52 [paras. 167, 174, 293, 295, 297].

Consumer Protection Act, R.S.Q., c. P-40.1, sect. 249 [para. 317].

Creameries and Dairies Regulation Act, S.B.C. 1920, c. 23, generally [para. 209].

Criminal Code, R.S.C. 1970, c. C-34, sect. 234.1 [para. 316]; sect. 235(1), sect. 236(1) [para. 314].

Dairy Association Act, S.Q. 1921, c. 37, generally [para. 209].

Degree Granting Act, S.O. 1983, c. 36, generally [paras. 38, 267].

Dominion Trade and Industry Commission Act, S.C. 1935, c. 59, generally [para. 212].

Education, an Act for the encouragement of, S.P.E.I., 15 Vict., c. 13, generally [para. 276].

Education, an Act to Consolidate amendments to several laws relating to, S.P.E.I., 24 Vict., c. 36, generally [para. 276].

Elementary Schools, an Act to facilitate the establishment and the endowment of Elementary Schools in the Parishes of this Province, Revised Acts and Ordinances of Lower Canada, 1845, 4 Geo. 4, c. 31, generally [para. 276].

Employment and Social Insurance Act, S.C. 1935, c. 38, generally [para. 212].

Environmental Contaminants Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. E-12, generally [para. 215].

European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms 1953, generally [para. 222].

Fair Accommodation Practices Act, S.O. 1954, c. 28, generally [para. 214].

Farmers' Creditors Arrangement Act, S.C. 1934, c. 53, generally [para. 212].

Financial Administration Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-11, generally [para. 216].

Food and Drugs Act, S.C. 1920, c. 27, generally [para. 208].

Free Schools, an Act for the establishment of Free Schools and the advancement of Learning in this Province, Revised Acts and Ordinances of Lower Canada, 1845, 41 Geo. 3, c. 17, generally [para. 276].

Hazardous Products Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. H-3, generally [para. 215].

Human Rights Code, S.O. 1981, c. 53, sect. 4(1) [paras. 6, 92, 357, 362, 380]; sect. 9(a) [paras. 1, 3, 6-8, 10, 12-15, 19, 75, 78, 83-84, 90-92, 110, 124, 126, 142, 339, 357-358, 360, 362-364, 372, 378-379, 385, 387, 389, 412, 423-425, 430]; sect. 10(a) [para. 426]; sect. 23(b) [paras. 6, 77, 357, 426, 430].

Human Rights Code Amendment Act, S.O. 1972, c. 119 [para. 78].

Income Tax Act, R.S.C. 1952, c. 148, generally [para. 213].

Inland Revenue Act, S.C. 1874, c. 8, generally [para. 208].

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, 1966, generally [para. 222].

Jesuits' Estate, an Act for the appropriation of the Revenues arising from the Jesuits' Estates for the year one thousand eight hundred and forty-six, 9 Vict., c. 59, generally [para. 276].

Judicial Review Procedure Act, R.S.O. 1980, c. 224, generally [para. 265].

Labour Code, R.S.C. 1970, c. L-1, sect. 61.5(9)(c) [para. 29].

Laurentian University of Sudbury Act, S.O. 1960, c. 151, as amended by 1961-62, c. 154, generally [paras. 38, 264]; sect. 13(1)(b), sect. 13(1)(c) [para. 300].

Limitation of Hours of Work Act, S.C. 1935, c. 63, generally [para. 212].

Manitoba School Act, R.S.M. 1880, c. 62, generally [para. 278].

McGill College, an Act to enable the Corporation of the Royal Institute for the Advancement of Learning to dispose of certain portions of Land for the better support of, 8 Vict., c. 78, generally [para. 276].

Milk, Cheese and Butter Act, S.O. 1908, c. 55, generally [para. 209].

Minimum Wages Act, S.C. 1935, c. 44, generally [para. 212].

Ministry of Colleges and Universities Act, R.S.O. 1980, c. 272, generally [para. 266].

Motor Vehicle Safety Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. M-10, generally [para. 215].

Natural Products Marketing Act, S.C. 1934, c. 57, generally [para. 212].

Normal Schools, an Act to make better provision for promotion of superior Education and the establishment and support of Normal Schools in Lower Canada and for other purposes, 19 Vict., c. 54, generally [para. 276].

Normal Schools, an Act to provide for the establishment of, Revised Acts and Ordinances of Lower Canada, 1845, 6 Will. 4, c. 12, generally [para. 276].

Ocean Dumping Control Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. O-2, generally [para. 215].

Of Public Instruction, R.S.N.S. 1873, c. 32, generally [para. 278].

Ontario Human Rights Code, S.O. 1961-62, c. 93, generally [para. 214].

Pay Equity Act, S.M. 1985-86, c. 21, generally [para. 214].

Pay Equity Act, S.O. 1987, c. 34, generally [para. 214].

Pay Equity Act, R.S.P.E.I. 1988, c. P-2, generally [para. 214].

Public Instruction, R.S.Q. 1888, Title V, arts. 1860-2288 [para. 278].

Public School Law, an Act to amend and consolidate the, S.O. 1874, c. 28 [para. 278].

Public Schools' Act, S.P.E.I. 1877, c. 1, generally [para. 278].

Public Schools, an Act for the better establishment and maintenance of Public Schools in Upper Canada, and for repealing the present School Act, 12 Vict., c. 83, generally [para. 276].

Radiation Emitting Devices Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. R-1, generally [para. 215].

Retail Business Holidays Act, R.S.O. 1980, c. 453, generally [para. 323].

Saskatchewan Bill of Rights, S.S. 1947, c. 35, generally [para. 214].

School Ordinance, C.O.N.W.T. 1898, c. 75, generally [para. 278].

Schools Act, C.S.N.B. 1877, c. 65, generally [para. 278].

Schools, an Act to Improve the Common and Grammar Schools of the Province, S.O. 1871, c. 33, generally [para. 278].

Schools and Schoolmasters, an Act concerning, Statutes at Large of the Province of Nova Scotia, 6 Geo. 3, c. 7, generally [para. 276].

United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, 1948, generally [para. 222].

University Expropriation Powers Act, R.S.O. 1980, c. 516, generally [paras. 38, 264].

University of Guelph Act, S.O. 1964, c. 120, generally [paras. 38, 264]; sect. 11(b), sect. 11(c) [para. 300].

University of Toronto Act, S.O. 1971, c. 56, generally [paras. 38, 264]; sect. 2(3) [para. 40]; sect. 2(14)(b), sect. 2(14)(c) [para. 300].

Weekly Rest in Industrial Undertakings Act, S.C. 1935, c. 14, generally [para. 212].

York University Act, S.O. 1965, c. 143, generally [paras. 38, 264]; sect. 10(c), sect. 10(d) [para. 300].

Authors and Works Noticed:

Abbott, Harry, Treatise on the Railway Law of Canada (1896), p. 1 [para. 205].

Abella, Rosalie S., Limitations on the Right to Equality Before the Law, in Armand de Mestral, et al., eds., The Limitation of Human Rights in Comparative Constitutional Law. [La Limitation des droits de l'Homme en droit constitutionnel comparé] (1986), pp. 9 [para. 299]; 226 [para. 384].

Atcheson, M. Elizabeth and Lynne Sullivan, Passage to Retirement: Age Discrimination and the Charter, in Anne F. Bayefsky and Mary Eberts, eds., Equality Rights and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (1985), p. 231 [para. 82].

Baggaley, Carman, The Emergence of the Regulatory State in Canada, 1867-1939 (1981), p. 42 [para. 206].

Bazelon, David L., Civil Liberties - Protecting Old Values in the New Century (1976), 51 N.Y.U.L.Rev. 505, generally [para. 219].

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Counsel:

Jeffrey Sack, Q.C., James K. McDonald, Steven M. Barrett and Ethan Poskanzer, for the appellants;

Christopher G. Riggs and Michael A. Hines, for the respondent, Board of Governors of the University of Guelph;

Mary Eberts and Michael A. Penny, for the respondent, Board of Governors of Laurentian University;

George W. Adams and Richard J. Charney, for the respondent, Board of Governors of York University;

John C. Murray and S. John Page, for the respondent, Governing Council of the University of Toronto;

Janet E. Minor and Robert E. Charney, for the respondent, Attorney General for Ontario;

Duff Friesen, Q.C., and Virginia McRae Lajeunesse, for the intervener, Attorney General of Canada;

Alison W. Scott, for the intervener, Attorney General of Nova Scotia;

Robert G. Richards, for the intervener, Attorney General for Saskatchewan;

Solicitors of Record:

Sack, Charney, Goldblatt & Mitchell, Toronto, Ontario, for the appellants;

Hicksm Morley, Hamilton, Stewart, Storie, Toronto, Ontario, for the respondent, Board of Governors of the University of Guelph;

Tory, Tory, DesLauriers & Binnington, Toronto, Ontario, for the respondent, Board of Governors of Laurentian University;

Campbell, Godfrey & Lewtas, Toronto, Ontario, for the Board of Governors of York University;

Cassels, Brock & Blackwell, Toronto, Ontario, for the respondent, Governing Council of the University of Toronto;

Attorney General for Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, for the respondent, Attorney General for Ontario;

Attorney General of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, for the intervener, Attorney General of Canada;

Attorney General of Nova Scotia, Halifax, Nova Scotia, for the intervener, Attorney General of Nova Scotia;

Brian Barrington-Foote, Regina, Saskatchewan, for the intervener, Attorney General for Saskatchewan.

This appeal was heard before Dickson, C.J.C., Wilson, La Forest, L'Heureux-Dubé, Sopinka, Gonthier and Cory, JJ., of the Supreme Court of Canada on May 16-19, 1989.

The decision of the Supreme Court was delivered in both official languages on December 6, 1990, when the following opinions were filed:

La Forest, J. (Dickson, C.J.C., and Gonthier, J., concurring) - see paragraphs 1 to 132;

Sopinka, J. - see paragraphs 133 to 138;

Cory, J. - see paragraphs 139 to 145;

Wilson, J. (dissenting in part) - see paragraphs 146 to 371;

L'Heureux-Dubé, J. (dissenting in part) - see paragraphs 372 to 433.